Apparatus for separating produce



June 27, 1967 M. L. SIMMONS 3,327,850

APPARATUS FOR SBPARATING PRODUCE Filed Feb. 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1//4, [/5 65 m cf" 6 run- ATTQRNEYS Patrick M. L. Simmons APPARATUS FORSEFARATING PRODUCE Filed Feb. 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. PuirickM. 'L. Simmons ATTORNEYS June 27, 1967 P. M. 1.. SIMMONS 3,327,850

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING PRODUCE Filed Feb. 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet O 31QJ l =5 INVENTOR.

Patrick M. L. Simmons ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,327,850 APPARATUSFOR SEPARATING PRODUCE Patrick M. L. Simmons, San Jose, Calif., assignorof one-half to Genevieve I. Magnuson, Saratoga, Calif.,

and one-half to Genevieve I. Magnuson, Robert Magnuson, and Louis J.Fox, as trustees of the estate of Roy M. Magnnson Fiied Feb. 8, 1965,Ser. No. 431,122 Claims. (Cl. 209111.7)

This invention relates to an electronic apparatus for separating produceand other items into several difierent length categories.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved electronicapparatus for separating produce such as cucumbers and pickles and otheritems into several length categories, one of which may be characterizedas a normal length and the others of which may be characterized asabnormal lengths.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved electronicapparatus for length sorting produce and other items whose grade orcharacter is determined by length.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved lengthsorter for produce or the like in which the articles are fed single fileto an optical scanning apparatus in which electrical signals areproduced, said signals being characterized by the diflierent lengths ofthe articles to be sorted.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improvedelectronic apparatus for separating produce and other items into severallength categories; this apparatus is provided with a conveyor for movinga single file of the articles through an optical scanning apparatus inwhich an electrical signal comprising a short pulse is produced shortlyafter the complete article enters the scanning area; said apparatus alsoproducing additional electrical signals when a short article is scanned,said additional signals being interrupted when a long article isscanned, whereby the apparatus is enabled to difierentiate between thesearticles of abnormal length so that these articles are deflected by theapparatus from the path followed by the articles of normal length.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification,claims and drawing, in which, briefly:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the optical scanning apparatus showing anarticle entering the scanning area, and also showing an article ofshorter than normal length being deflected from the normal path to bereceived by the receiver for short articles;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the optical scanning head of this apparatusshowing an article of median or normal length positioned therein;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the optical scanning head showing an articleof short length positioned therein;

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the optical scanning head showing an articleof long length positioned therein;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of connections showing the connection-s tothe Iight sensitive cells of the optical scanning head and also showingthe output connected to the solenoids which control the air jets fordeflecting the articles of other than the selected median length;

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram of the amplifier connected to each of thelight sensitive cells;

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control circnit which isresponsive to the electrical signals from the three photo amplifieroutputs;

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power switch that isconnected to the output of the control circuit and the output of whichis connected to the solenoids of the air valve; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power supply employed inaccordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference numeral 10 designates aconveyor for conveying a single file of the articles C which are to beseparated according to length. This conveyor may be made up of beltsforming a trough or V between them, such as disclosed in applicationSer. No. 122,970, filed July 10, 1961 (Case 1402A) and assigned to acommon assignee. The output end of this conveyor may be provided withsuitable ramps leading to three receptacles 10a, 10b and 10c. Thereceptacle 1011, which is in direct alignment with the conveyor 10, isprovided for receiving the artciles C of a selected median or normallength. The receptacle 10b is provided for receiving articles of longerthan median or normal length, and the receptacle 10c is provided forreceiving articles of shorter than median or normal length.

The light bank 11 is provided alongside of the conveyor 10, and thisbank includes lights 11a, 11b and which are spaced predetermineddistance apart, depending upon the lengths selected for the differentcategories. The light sensitive cell bank 12 is provided on the otherside of the conveyor 10 and it includes light sensitive cell housings13, 14 and 15 which are aligned with the light sources 11a, 11b and 110,respectively, so as to receive light transmitted from these sources,unless the light is interrupted by the article C passing along theconveyor. The distance between the respective light sources and thecorresponding. light sensitive cells may be made adjustable so that themedian, short and long lengths of the articles to be sepa-. rated may beadjusted as desired. The light sensitive cells, 16, 17 and 18 arepositioned in the housing of the bank. 12 in alignment with thec-ollimating tubes 13, 14 and 15, respectively, and these lightsensitive cells are connected to the inputs of amplifiers 19a, 20a and21a, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3. The diagram of connections of oneof these amplifiers is shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B show articles of different lengths passing throughthe scanning area between the light bank 11 and the light sensitive cellbank 12. FIG. 2 shows an article C of normal length positioned in thescanning area just after the rear end of this article has cleared thelight beam between the light source 11a and the tube 13 and with theforward end of this article interrupting the light beam between thelight source 11b and the tube 14. Thus, when the rear end of the articleC has cleared the light path between the source 11a and the tube 13, thereestablished light beam causes a short pulse to be applied to the inputof transistor 55 of the control circuit shown in FIG. 5 throughcapacitor 67. Since the light beam between the source 11b and the tube14 is interrupted by the article C, the DC signal normally supplied tothe input line 23 of transistor 60' is interrupted. However, since thelight beam from source 110 to tube 15 has not been interrupted, a DCsignal is supplied to the input line 24 of transistor 66 of the controlcircuit.

In the case of the short article Cs shown in FIG. 2, after the rear ofthis article has cleared the light path between the light source 11a andthe tube 13, the article is positioned so that it does not interrupt anyof the light beams. Thus, for such an article the short pulse issupplied to the base of transistor 55 and DC signals are also suppliedto bases of transistors 60 and 66. In the case of the longer than normalarticle Cl, shown in FIG. 2B, the beams from sources 111) and 110 totubes 14 and 15, respectively, are both interrupted just after the rearof the article clears the path of the beam passing from source 11a totube 13 and when the short pulse is supplied by amplifier 19a totransistor 55 of the control circuit.

The amplifier shown in FIG. .4 illustrates one of the amplifiers 19a,20a and 21a, shown in FIG. 3, and each of these amplifiers employs threetransistors 48, .41 and 42. The base of transistor 40 is connected toone side of the light-sensitive cell 16 and to the lower terminal ofresistor 43 through which it is connected to the 12-16 volt supply line2 1. The collector of this transistor is connected to line 21 throughresistor 44 and to the base of transistor 41 through resistor 47. Theemitters of transistors 40 and 41 are connected together to provideemitter-coupled feedback and they are both connected to the ground line19 through resistor 49. The base of transistor 41 is connected to theground line 19 through resistor 48. Resistors 44, 47 and 48 areconnected in series between the 12-16 volt supply line 21 and ground 19,and the base of transistor 41 is connected to the common connectionbetween resistors 47 and 48. The collector of transistor 41 is connectedto the supply line 21 through resistor 45. This collector is alsoconnected to the cathode of diode 51, the anode of which is connected tothe base of transistor 42. The anode of diode 51 and base of transistor42 are also connected to the upper terminal of resistor 50, the lowerterminal of which is connected to the ground line 19. A capacitor 52 isconnected across diode 51. The collector of transistor 42 is connectedto the output line 22 and to the lower terminal of resistor 46, theupper terminal of which is connected to the line 21. The emitter oftransistor 42 is connected to ground line 19.

The control circuit 20, shown in FIG. 5, is provided with transistors55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 in the upper transistor bank thereof, and leadingto the output line 29 which may be referred to as the signal output forthe short articles. Additional transistors 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 areprovided to the control circuit, and these lead to the output line 30which may be designated as the signal output for the long articles. Itwill be noted that there are interconnections between these twotransistor lines, for example, the output of transistor 55 is connectedby line 55a to the cathode of diode 88, the anode of which is connectedto the base of transistor 62, and the output of transistor 60 is alsoconnected by line 60a to the cathode of diode 71, the anode of which isconnected to the base of transistor 56. Transistor 66, which receivesits input from the output of the third amplifier 21a, is not providedwith a separate output line but furnishes its sig-. nal output to thebase of transistor 61 through the re sistor 86.

Transistors 55 to 66 inclusive of the control circuit are connected asfollows. The input line 22 is coupled through capacitor 67 to the baseof transistor 55, as previously mentioned, and the cathode of diode 68is also connected to the base of this transistor. The anode of thisdiode is connected to the ground line 19. The emitter of transistor 55is connected to this ground line through resistor 69, and the collectorof this transistor is connected to the positive supply line 21 whichleads to the power supply 25, as shown in FIG. 3. The emitter oftransistor 55 is also connected to the cathode of diode 70 and to thecathode of diode 88 by line 55a. The anode of diode 70 is connected tothe base of transistor 56, to the anode of diode 71 and to the bottomterminal of resistor 72. Diodes 70 and 71 form a coincidence AND gateconnected to the base of transistor 56. This gate allows the transistor56 to conduct current only when the signals at the cathodes of diodes 70and 71 are simultaneously positive. The upper terminal of resistor 72 isconnected to the positive supply line 21, and the collector oftransistor 56 is also connected to this line. The emitter of transistor56 is connected to the ground line 19 through resistor 74 and to thebase of transistor 57 through resistor 73. The collector of transistor57 is connected to the positive supply line 21 through resistor 75 andto the base of transistor 58 through resistor 77. The base of transistor58 is also connected to the ground line 19 through resistor 78. Theemitters of transistors 57 and 58 are connected together to provideemitted coupled feedback and both of these emitters are connected to theground line 19 through the resistor 79.

The collector of transistor 58 is connected to the supply line 21through resistor 76 and to the output line 29. It is also coupledthrough capacitor 83 to the upper terminal of the resistor 81. The lowerterminal of this resistor is connected to the ground line 19 throughresistor 80. A variable contact 82 is provided to resistor 81, and thisvariable contact is connected to the base of transistor 59. Thecollector of this transistor is connected to the supply line 29 and theemitter is connected to the base of transistor 57 to providecapacitative regenerative feedback to the latter transistor which isvariable by varrying contact 82, that is, by varying the strength of thesignal applied to the base of transistor 59.

Transistors 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 are connected in a circuit similarto that of transistors 55-59 with differences which Will be apparentfrom the following description. No capacitor is provided in the inputline 23 leading to the base of transistor 60 so that DC signals aresupplied to the base of this transistor from the output of amplifier20a. The same is true of transistor 66 and the input line 24 thereof isconnected to the output of amplifier 21a so that DC signals are providedto this transistor also. The collectors of both transistors 60 and 66are connected directly to the supply line 21. The emitters oftransistors 60 and 66 are connected to the ground line 19 throughresistors 84 and 99* respectively. The emitter of transistor 60 is alsoconnected to the cathode of diode 71, the anode of which is connected tothe base of transistor 56. The emitters of transistors 60 and 66 areconnected to the base of transistor 61 through resistors 85 and 86,respectively. Resistors 85 and 86 and transistor 61 form an inverting ORgate and an output is produced 1f an input is provided from eithertransistor 66 or transistor 66. No resistor is provided in the emitter.circuit of transistor 61 and this emitter is connected directly to theground line 19. Resistor 87, however, is provided between the collectorof this transistor and the supply line 21. The collector of thistransistor is also connected to the cathode of diode 89, the anode ofwhich is connected to the base of transistor 62. The anode of diode 88and the lower terminal of resistor 90 are also connected to the base oftransistor 62. Thus, if transistor 61 does not conduct and a pulse issupplied to the cathode of diode 88 over line 55a, transistor 62 will berendered conductive.

The upper terminal of resistor 90 is connected to the supply line 21.The collector of transistor 62 is also connected directly to the supplyline 21, and the emitter thereof is connected to the ground line 19through resistor 100. This emitter is also connected to the base oftransistor 73 through resistor 102. Resistors 91, 92 and 93 areconnected in series between the line 21 and the ground line 119, and thecommon connection between resistors 91 and 92 is connected to thecollector of transistor 63. The common connection between resistors 92and 93 is connected to the supply line 21, and this collector is alsosistors 63 and 64 are connected together to provide emitter coupledfeedback, and both of these emitters are connected to the ground line 19through resistor 101. The collector of transistor 64 is connected to thelower terminal of resistor 94, the upper terminal of which is connectedto the supply line 21, and this collector is also connected to the upperterminal of capacitor 95 and to the output line 30. The lower terminalof capacitor 95 is connected to the upper terminal of resistor 97, andthe lower terminal of this resistor is connected to the ground line 19through resistor 96. Resistor 97 is provided with a variable contactwhich is connected to the base of transistor 65. The collector of thistransistor is connected to the supply line 21 and the emitter isconnected to the base of transistor 63 to provide capacitativeregenerative feedback thereto.

Each group of transistors 57, 58 and 59 and transistors 63, 64 and 65form a multivibrator which is basically of the Schmitt trigger type witha very long coupling time constant and regenerative feedback whichalters the bistable Schmitt trigger circuit to a monostable vibrator.These multivibrators in each case function as pulse stretcher circuitswith a relatively high amplification factor, and they are capable ofbeing triggered by a pulse a millisecond long to provide an output pulsewhich may be adjusted by a variable RC circuit from approximately 100milliseconds to several seconds.

Thus, the monostable multivibrator comprising the transistors 57, 58 and59 may be triggered by supplying a relatively short pulse to the base oftransistor 57, and by adjusting the variable contact 82 of resistor 81,the output pulse supplied by transistor 58 to line 29 may be adjusted tohave a length from approximately 100 milliseconds to several seconds.

Likewise, the monostable multivibrator comprising the transistors 63, 64and 65- may be triggered by supplying a relatively short pulse to thebase of transistor 63 from the output of transistor 62 by controllingthe variable contact 98 of resistor 97 so that a relatively long pulsemay be supplied to the line 30, varying in length from approximately 100milliseconds to several seconds.

The output supplied to line 29 of the control unit is derived from thecollector of transistor 58. This output is supplied to the cathode ofdiode 110 of the power switch 28, the wiring diagram of which is shownin FIG. 6, and output line 30 of the control unit is connected to thecathode of diode 123 of the power switch.

The first unit of the power switch 28 is provided with the diode i110,the anode of which is connected to the base of transistor 112. Theemitter of transistor 112 is connected to the ground line 19 throughresistor 117, and the collector of this transistor is connected to the2-4-volt line 37 through resistors 115 and 116 which are connected inseries. The common connection of resistors 115 and 1116 is connected tothe base of transistor 113. The collector of transistor 113 is connectedto the ground line 19 through resistor 119, and the emitter of thistransistor is connected to the positive 24-volt line 37 through resistor118. The emitter of transistor 113 is also connected to the base oftransistor 114. The collector of transistor 114 is connected to thecathode of diode 1122, to the anode of diode 121, and to the output line35. The anode of diode 122 is connected to the ground line 19. Thecathode of diode 121 is connected to the emitters of transistors 114 and126 and to the cathode of diode 120, the anode of which is connected tothe positive 24-volt line 37 which is connected to the power supply 25.

The second unit of the power switch 28 is provided with the diode 123,the anode of which is connected to the base of transistor 124. Theemitter of transistor 124 is connected to the ground line 19 throughresistor 129, and the collector of this transistor is connected to the24-volt line 37 through resistors 127 and 128 which are connected inseries. The common connection of resistors 127 and 128 is connected tothe base of transistor 125. The collector of transistor 125 is connectedto the ground line 19 through resistor 131, and the emitter of thistransistor is connected to the positive 24-volt line 37 through resistor130. The emitter of transistor 125 is also connected to the base oftransistor 126. The collector of transistor 126 is connected to thecathode of diode 138, to

' line 22 and a short 5 the anode of diode 132, and to the output line36. The anode of diode 138 is connected to the ground line 19.

Output line 35 of power switch 28 is connected to one side of thesolenoid 31 and the other side of this solenoid is connected to theground line 19. Output line 36 of power switch 28 is connected to oneside of the solenoid 32 and the other side of this solenoid is connectedto the ground line 19.

The wiring diagram of the power supply 25 is shown in FIG. 7. This powersupply includes a transformer 140 having a primary 141 that is adaptedto be connected to a conventional 115 volt, 60 cycle power supply and asecondary 142, the output of which is rectified by rectifiers 143, 144,and 146. One side of the secondary 142 is connected to the anode ofdiode 145 and to the cathode of diode 143. The other side is connectedto the anode of diode 146 and the cathode of 144. The anodes of diodes143 and 144 are connected together and to the ground line 19. Thecathodes of diodes 145 and !146 are connected together to the inputofthe filter circuit and to output line 37 which supplies the unfiltered24-volt rectified AC for the solenoids 31 and 32 through power switch28.

A resistor 148 is connected between the lower termirials of capacitors147 and 149, the upper terminals of which are connected together toground line 19. Resistor 153 is connected between the lower terminal ofcapacitor 149 and the collector of transistor 155. Transistor 155functions as a series voltage regulator and transistors 156 and 157 forman amplifier supplying bias to the base of transistor 155, thecollector-emitter circuit of which is connected in the positive line 21.A resistor 152 is connected between capacitor 149 and a commonconnection between capacitor 151 and the upper terminal of resistor 158.The upper terminals of capacitors 147, 149, 150 and 151 are connected tothe ground line 19. The lower terminal of capacitor 150 is connected tothe collector of transistor 155, and the lower terminal of the resistor158 is connected to the collector of transistor 156. The emitter oftransistor 156 is connected to the base of transistor 155 and the baseof transistor 156 is connected to the collector of transistor 157 and tothe upper terminal of resistor 161. The emitter of transistor 157 isconnected to the cathode of diode 160 and the anode of this diode isconnected to the ground line 19. The emitter of transistor 157 is alsoconnected to the upper terminal of resistor 162 and the lower terminalof this resistor is connected to the emitter of transistor 155 and tothe anode of diode 190. The cathode of diode 190 is connected to thelower terminal of resistor 161 and to the left hand terminal of resistor154. The left hand terminal of this latter resistor is connected to thecommon connection between resistors 148, 152 and 153. The emitter oftransistor 155 is connected to the lower terminals of resistors 162 and163, and to the lower terminal of capacitor 167 and also to the outputline 21 which supplies the current to the photo amplifiers 19a, 20a and21a, and the control amplifier 20. Resistors 163, 164 and 165 areconnected in series between the ground line 19 and the output line 21,and resistor 165 is provided with a variable contact 166 which isconnected to the base of transistor 157. Variable contact 166 provides acontrol whereby the output voltage supplied to line 21 may be variedbetween certain limits.

The operation of this apparatus may be summarized as follows. Assumingthat a median length article C is positioned in the scanning area, asshown in FIG. 2, so that the rear end of this article has just clearedthe path for the light rays 'between source 11a and tube 13, at suchtime a signal is supplied by amplifier 19a to the input pulse is passedto the base of transistor 55 through capacitor 67. This pulse istransmitted to the cathode of diode 70. However, since no signal issupplied over line 23 to the base of transistor 60 from the amplifier2011, because the light path between the light source 11!) and the tube14 is interrupted, no signal is by another signal supplied by transistor61 to the cathode of diode 89. This latter signal is produced by theamplifier 21a inasmuch as the light sensitive cell 18 is energized bythe light beam passing from light source 110 to the tube 15, and thissignal is supplied over the line 24 to the base of transistor 66 whichsupplies it to the base of transistor 61. It will be noted that theanodes of diodes 88 and 89 are connected to the base of transistor 62and that this base is supplied through resistor 90 from the supply line21. Resistor 90 is provided with a relatively high resistance value andas a result, if both diodes 88 and 89 are activated simultaneously bysignals, the voltage drop across resistor 90 is sufiiciently large toprevent transistor 62 from conducting current. Thus, when the mediansize article C is positioned in the scanning area, neither output line29 nor output line 36 of the control circuit 20 is supplied with output.

On the other hand, when a shorter'than median length article Cs ispositioned in the scanning area, as shown in FIG. 2A, light from thelight sources activates all three of the light sensitive cells 16, 17and 18. Thus, in this case signals are supplied to the cathodes of bothdiodes 70 and 71 and this AND gate supplies a signal to the base oftransistor 56. Since the signal supplied to diode 70 is relativelyshort, the output signal of transistor 56 supplied to the base oftransistor 57 will be in the form of a short pulse. This, however, issufiicient to trigger the monostable multivibrator comprisingtransistors 57, 58 and 59, which produces a relatively long pulse thatis supplied to output line 29. The length of this pulse may becontrolled, as previously described. At the same time, no output issupplied on line 30 inasmuch as transistor 62 is cut off, since bothdiodes 88 and 89 are supplied with signals. The signal from line 29 issupplied to the power switch 28 and is amplified in the upper section ofthis power switch including transistors 112, 113 and 114. This amplifiedsignal is supplied to output line 35 which is connected to the solenoid31. Thus, solenoid 31 is energized and it functions to open the airvalve 33 so that a jet of air is applied to deflect the short articleCs, as shown in FIG. 1. This short article is thus diverted to thereceptacle or conveyor c which is provided for receiving the shorterarticles.

When the longer than median length article Cl is positioned in thescanning area, as shown in FIG. 2B, it interrupts the light beams fromlight sources 11b and 110. Thus, no signals are supplied to the bases oftransistors 60 and 66. A short signal is supplied to the base oftransistor 55 which functions to supply this signal to line 55a and tothe cathode of diode 88. The AND gate comprising diodes 7t) and 71 isinetiective since no signal is supplied to the cathode of diode 71. Thesignal supplied to diode 88 is, however, passed to the base oftransistor 62, and from this transistor to the base of transistor 63.Transistors 63, 64 and 65 comprise a monostable multivibrator which isarranged to lengthen the pulse supplied to the base of transistor 66 andsupplies this lengthened pulse to the output line 30 which is connectedto the power switch 28. The lower channel of the 'power switch,including transistors 124, 125 and 126, receives and amplifies thissignal. The amplified signal is supplied to the output line 36 which isconnected to the solenoid 32. Thus, solenoid 3 2 is energized andfunctions to open the air valve 34 which supplies an air jet thatoperates to deflect the longer than median length article Cl to thereceptacle or conveyor 10b, shown in FIG. 1.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will beunderstood that the invention is capable of variation and modificationso that the form shown should be limited only by the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In apparatus for separating articles such as cucurn-' bers or thelike according to median lengths and abnormal.

lengths, comprising the combination of an article conveyor, meansassociated with said conveyor producing a signal comprising anelectrical pulse when an article passes said means, means producingadditional signals associated with said conveyor, electrical controlapparatus having means responsive to said pulse and to the presence orabsence of said additional signals, said last mentioned meanscontrolling which of a pair of output circuits of said control apparatusis to be activated, means connected to said output circuits separatingthe articles of abnormal.

length from those of median length, said signal producing meanscomprising a plurality of spaced light sources and a light sensitivecell aligned with each of said light sources, said sources being spacedsuch that a shorter than median article does not interrupt any of thelight passing from said sources to said cells when the length of thisarticle is being classified, and an article of median length interruptslight passing from one of said sources to an aligned cell, and a longerthan medium length article interrupts light from more than one of saidsources to aligned cells when the lengths thereof are being classified.

2. In apparatus for separating articles such as cucumbers or the likeaccording to median lengths and abnormal lengths, comprising thecombination of an article conveyor, means associated with said conveyorproducing a signal comprising an electrical pulse when an article passessaid means, means producing additional signals associated with saidconveyor, electrical control apparatus having means responsive to saidpulse and to the presence or absence of said additional signals, saidlast mentioned means comprising a pair of circuits selecting which of apair of output circuits of said control apparatus is to be activated,means disabling one of said selecting circuits and means activating theother of said selecting circuits, when a shorter than median lengtharticle is being classified, said responsive means including meansresponsive only to said electrical pulse activating only said one of.said selecting circuits when a longer than median length article isbeing classified.

3. In apparatus for separating articles such as cucumbers or the likeaccording to normal lengths or abnormal lengths, as set forth in claim1, and further characterized in that said responsive means includes anAND gate that is activated when a shorter than median length article isbeing classified, and a pulse lengthening circuit connected to receivethe pulse passed by said AND gate, the output of said pulse lengtheningcircuit being connected to one of said output circuits.

4. In apparatus for separating articles such as cucumbers or the likeaccording to normal lengths or abnormal lengths, as set forth in claim3', and further characterized in that said responsive means includesmeans activated by said pulse in the absence of said additional signalsto activate another pulse lengthening circuit when an article of longerthan median length is being classified, said last mentioned pulselengthening circuit being connected to the other of said outputcircuits.

5. In apparatus for separating articles such as cucumbers or the likeaccording to length, comprising the combinati n of article conveyingmeans, means associated 9 10 and means controlling the transmission ofsaid pulse to 2,982,403 5/1961 Harmon 209-111.7 X the other of saidpulse lengthening circuits when a longer 3,038,604 6/1962 Muller 20982than median length article is being classified, and means 3,232,429 2/1966 Norwich 2091l1.7

connected to said pulse lengthening circuits separating the shorter thanmedian length articles and the longer than 5 M. HENSON WOOD, 111.,Primary Examiner. median length articles from the median lengtharticles. ERLICH Assistant Examiner.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,916,633 12/1959 Stone et a].

1. IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ARTICLES SUCH AS CUCUMBERS OR THE LIKEACCORDING TO MEDIAN LENGTHS AND ABNORMAL LENGTHS, COMPRISING THECOMBINATION OF AN ARTICLE CONVEYOR, MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CONVEYORPRODUCING A SIGNAL COMPRISING AN ELECTRICAL PULSE WHEN AN ARTICLE PASSESSAID MEANS, MEANS PRODUCING ADDITIONAL SIGNALS ASSOCIATED WITH SAIDCONVEYOR, ELECTRICAL CONTROL APPARATUS HAVING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAIDPULSE AND TO THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF SAID ADDITIONAL SIGNALS, SAIDLAST MENTIONED MEANS CONTROLLING WHICH OF A PAIR OF OUTPUT CIRCUITS OFSAID CONTROL APPARATUS IS TO BE ACTIVATED, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAIDOUTPUT CIRCUITS SEPARATING THE ARTICLES OF ABNORMAL LENGTH FROM THOSE OFMEDIAN LENGTH, SAID SIGNAL PRODUCING MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFSPACED LIGHT SOURCES AND A LIGHT SENSITIVE CELL ALIGNED WITH EACH OFSAID LIGHT SOURCES, SAID SOURCES BEING SPACED SUCH THAT A SHORTER THANMEDIAN ARTICLE DOES NOT INTERRUPT ANY OF THE LIGHT PASSING FROM SAIDSOURCES TO SAID CELLS WHEN THE LIGHT OF THIS ARTICLE IS BEINGCLASSIFIED, AND AN ARTICLE OF MEDIAN LENGTHS INTERRUPTS LIGHT PASSINGFROM ONE OF SAID SOURCES TO AN ALIGNED CELL, AND A LONGER THAN MEDIUMLENGTH ARTICLE INTERRUPTS LIGHT FROM MORE THAN ONE OF SAID SOURCES TOALIGNED CELLS WHEN THE LENGTHS THEREOF ARE BEING CLASSIFIED.